DeKalb DA seeks death penalty in bus stop murder | Crime

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DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. -- DeKalb County District Attorney Robert James announced Thursday that he plans to seek the death penalty for the man accused of shooting a woman to death at a bus stop.

Christopher Merritt, 18, was indicted last month for killing Marcaysia Dawkins. The 19-year-old victim was murdered Nov. 23, 2014 at the MARTA bus stop on Fairington Road in Lithonia. Investigators said Merritt approached Dawkins and tried to steal her purse. She fought back, prompting Merritt to shoot her twice.

"It's truly a disturbing thought that Ms. Dawkins could have been anyone on any given day," James said in a statement. "The life of a vibrant, young and hardworking 19-year-old woman was taken away in broad daylight."

Merritt has been charged with malice murder, felony murder, armed robbery and aggravated assault. DeKalb County Police said Merritt is also a suspect in at least three sexual assaults; in each case, he placed a gun to his victim's head and forced her to have sex with him.

Court records show Merritt was arrested on theft charges in June 2013, but was able to plead the case down to a misdemeanor.